Organizations and companies are among the biggest contributors to electronic waste (e-waste). Many are still uninformed about the proper processing and disposal of such waste, leading to adverse environmental and human damages. But in a digital world with mobile devices and other electronics, most people will purchase new ones and throw away their old devices.
At the same time, electronic needs continue to increase with the demands of the business. Companies are always on the lookout for the smartest, fastest, and newest technologies in the market. But instead of creating plans on how your business can afford new electronics, understand how you can reduce e-waste.
Your organization must know the best actions to take when dealing with unusable, broken, or outdated electronic items or components. To guide you with that, we’ve listed some simple yet effective strategies for reducing your company’s e-waste.
- Transfer to cloud services
Using cloud services may seem like a no-brainer for every modern business. But in terms of reducing e-waste, this can be a huge step. Switching into the cloud can help you minimize the number of electronic equipment that your business uses.
Plus, you get to save a few more bucks too. In fact, experts say that around 90% of businesses these days use cloud technology to operate their business. Embracing cloud solutions means you won’t have to buy several hard drives and devices to store and access your data. Moreover, compared to physical electronic devices.
- Donate or sell
If your company cannot reduce the number of electronics you’re using, you can at least consider donating or selling the ones you no longer use. For one, donating allows you to help others in need while keeping the electronics out of landfills. Many nonprofit and education organizations in the U.S. will happily accept electronics that can still be refurbished. Before listing the devices for donation, ensure that all your sensitive data has been removed.
Other places that can use your donations are community groups, underserved populations, and local schools. In case you still want to get some of your money back, you can sell the electronics instead. You can use services like Marketplace or Craigslist if you don’t want to go through the hassle of packing and shipping the items or arranging payments.
- Upgrade through trade-in
If you’re upgrading your electronics, you can consider a trade-in. You can create your own trade-in policy as part of your company culture. For instance, if you provide the team with new gadgets, ensure everyone will hand out their old and data-free devices.
If you can’t afford to create and handle such policies, you can check for e-waste programs offered by your electronics manufacturers. Many manufacturers offer these in the form of zero-cost collection, buy-back, and rebate. Some may even offer a discount or reward when you also trade in your old electronics. You can check out this list from the EPA of what companies are currently open for receiving devices.
- Consider doing repairs first
Before you consider donating or selling your electronics, try some repairs first. If the repairs won’t cost your business too much, this is a more responsible action. You can have your IT team check and perform simple fixes.
However, if the electronics require complex repairs, you can hire computer or mobile phone repair specialists instead. Find a repair service that guarantees the use of high-standard techniques and materials. Most of them also offer trade-in services, which are helpful in case the devices are not repairable. Nonetheless, old electronics can still work efficiently and feel newer with software upgrades, hard drivers, or additional memory.
- Make informed purchases
Last but not least, you can reduce your company’s e-waste by making more informed purchases. This is the best way to deal with e-waste. Purchasing stage is a crucial part of e-waste management, so be sure to think about your buying decisions carefully. Many businesses often buy electronics in bulk to get them for low prices.
Instead of doing this, take time to research first and determine those with the best reviews. Purchasing electronics isn’t just about how you can save money, but also your decision’s impact on the environment.
Electronic devices contain harmful materials such as mercury and lead that can harm our health and environment. If you mishandle them or accidental exposure happens, several illnesses and disorders such as organ damage can be expected. E-waste can also impact our air, water, and soil. With that, take these steps towards reducing your e-waste now and help preserve the planet.
Meta title:Reducing E-waste of Your Business: A Five-step Guide
meta desc: As the problem with electronic waste is quickly getting bigger, the business industry is also working towards reducing e-waste. Learn how you can do it, too.